John 4:33
What does John 4:33 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:33 means
The disciples, much like the Samaritan woman earlier, initially misunderstand Jesus' spiritual statement, interpreting "meat" in a purely literal sense. They wonder if someone has secretly brought Him food. Their confusion underscores their limited spiritual perception at this point, highlighting the common human tendency to grasp earthly realities before spiritual ones, providing Jesus with an opportunity to clarify His true meaning.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the disciples said one to another, Did anyone give him food?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The disciples then said one to another, `Did any one bring him anything to eat?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The disciples therefore said one to another: Hath any man brought him to eat?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The disciples therefore said to one another, Has any one brought him [anything] to eat?
Context
This verse captures the disciples' literal misunderstanding of Jesus' enigmatic statement about having food they don't know. It immediately follows Jesus' pronouncements in verse 32. Their confusion is a common literary device used in John's Gospel to prompt Jesus to further explain deeper spiritual truths, which He does in the subsequent verse, clarifying His source of sustenance and purpose.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 16:6
And Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
- Luke 9:45
But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
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